Bell



Mayl, 1966 J. H. MALTA 3,253,574

BELL

Filed March 8. 1965 WSIB BY m me;

ATTORNE United States Patent Oiice 3,253,574 Patented May 31, 1966 3,253,574 BELL Jacob H. Malta, Doylestown, Pa., assigner to Schulmerich Electronics, Inc., Sellersvilie, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed Mar. 8, 1965, Ser. No. 437,975 12 Claims. (Cl. 116-171) This invention relates to handbells useful in manually playing music by groups of players.

Such Imusic normally is played by handbells of sizes that produce different notes when the handbells are swung. A chorus is usually made up of a group of persons each having different sized bells. Each player swings a bell so4 as to actuate it, the bells being swung selectively as the music being played requires.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a handbell having a clapper that is designed so that a plurality of distinctly different impact tones can be achieved.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a handbell in which the clapper can be positively adjusted so that a desired impact tone can be achieved by striking the bell at the best point thereon for minimum wowf Still another object of the invention is to provide a handbell having a clapper that will eectively subdue the extraneous higher partiels and thereby achieve a dominant, strong fundamental and twelfth partial. l

Another object of the invention is to provide such a handbell in which the clapper has additional striking areas providing different impact tones.

A further object of the invention is to provide a handbell having a micrometrically adjustable strike control to permit selection of the desired clapper restraining action to suit the touch or feel of any bell ringer.

A still further object of the invention is to provide such a handbell in which the clapper strike control is effective to vary the impact in either or both directions of swing.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a handbell in which the micrometrically adjustable strike control is effective to restrain the clapper from striking on one side of the bell, making it ideal for two-in-hand and fourinhan playing.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a clapper strike control that can be utilized to lock the striker in central position for facilitating the transporting of the bell.

In one aspect of the invention, a handbell may comprise a bell of usual form having a mouth portion and a tang at the opposite end thereof. A nonmetallic handle disc may surround the tang and be held in place by a cap screw extending through a handle block, the bell tang, and a spacer bushing, and threaded into a yoke that is held against the spacer and the spacer against the inside of the bell in concentric arrangement with the tang.

In another aspect of the invention, the clapper shaft may be pivotally mounted on a pin extending between the legs of the yoke, and a clapper may be attached to the free end of the clapper shaft. The clapper may be nonmetallic such as a plastic, and it may include a hexagonal,

' metallic insert, providing three parallel planes of striking to achieve a dominant, strong fundamental and twelfth y partial. -When the unslotted portion of the clapper strikes the `bell, a strong, brilliant tone is produced; and when the open slotted portion of the clapper strikes the bell, a medium, mellow tone is produced.

In still another aspect of the invention, angularly diverging micrometer threaded rods extend from the yoke on each side of the clapper shaft. A restraining leaf spring of beryllium copper or the like may be fixed to and movable with the clapper shaft. The spring lmay include bifurcated ends each of which receives one of the diverging threaded rods.

In a further aspect of the invention, adjusting nuts may be threaded onto the free ends of the diverging threaded rods, and they may be adjusted so as to restrain the movement of the clapper, thereby to permit the selection of the desired clapper restraining action to suit the touch or feel of the individual user.

The above, other objects and novel features of the improved handbell will become apparent from the following specification and accompanying drawing which are merely exemplary.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a handbell to which the principles of the invention have been applied;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the restraining spring;

FIG. 3 is a section taken substantially along line 3 3 of FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a section taken substantially along line 4 4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a detail of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is another view, partly in section, showing a detail of construction.

Referring to the drawing,.and particularly to FIG. 1, the principles of the invention are shown as applied to a handbell including a cast bell 10 of usual construction having a mouth 11 and a tang 12. A plastic handle disc 13 may surround the tang 12. A handle block 14 may have attached to it a flexible handle 15 by means of rivets 16. Handle 15 may be made of polypropylene plastic or the like. A washer 17 may be located on top of disc 13, and a cap screw 18 may extend through the handle block 14, the tang 12 and a spacing washer 19, and be threaded into a yoke 2li. i

Yoke 20 may include parallel spaced legs between which a pin 21 extends, the pin preferably being made of nylon or the like. A clapper bar 22 mayhave one of its ends journaled on pin 21, and its opposite end may support a clapper 23.

The clapper 23 may comprise a metallic, hexagonally shaped member 24 about the perimeter of which a ring 25 of plastic, such as nylon or polypropylene, is rigidly attached. The construction provides three sets of parallel planes of striking in which a maximum amount of plastic exists, and six points of the hexagon Where a minimum of plastic exists.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, diametrically opposed slots 26, 27 are located in the ring 25 along parallel faces of the hexagon 24. The slots 26, 27 are formed with shoulders 28, 29. A woven felt belt 30 is folded as shown in FIG. 6 and threaded through each slot .26, 27. A pin 31 is located Within a loop 32 lof the belt, and it is of a diameter such that it will not pass through the slot. The belt 30 is pulled upwardlyuntil pin 31 pinches both the loop 32 and the loop 33, preventing them from passing upwardly through the slot. The upper end of belt 30 is then folded over the shoulder 29, down beneath loops 32 and 33, and a spring clip 34 passes through a loop 35 of each belt, securely holding the Wrapped belt onto the clapper 23.

Another set of slots 36, 37 is located diametrically opposite each other along two -other parallel sides of hexagon 24. The construction and arrangement are such that when the clapper strikes the bell when swung along lines 38, 39, the belt 30 subdues the extraneous higher partials, thereby achieving a dominant, strong fundamental and twelfth partial. When the clapper 23 strikes bell 10 along lines 40, 41, a strong, brilliant tone results. When the clapper 23 strikes bell 10 along lines 42, 43, a medium mellowtone will result. Finally, when the clapper 23 strikes bell 10 along lines 44, 45, an even sharper, brilliant tone will result.

Referring again to FIG. 1, yoke supports diamet-. rically opposed, micrometrically threaded` rods 46 and 47 that diverge from either side of clapper bar 22. A leaf spring 48 (FIG. 2) may include a hole 49 therethrough adapted to be pressed onto, or otherwise xed .to clapper bar 22. Spring 48 may include bifurcated ends 50, 51 adapted to receive the threaded rods 46 and 47. An elastic stop nut 52 may be threaded onto the free ends of rods 46 and 47, and between them and spring 48 may be located a n-eoprene bumper 53 and a- Teflon antifriction washer 54. Downward or upward adjustment of either or both nuts 52 offers minute control -of the clapper position with respect to the restraining action applied to the clapper.

Although the various features of the improved handbell have been shown and described in detail tofully disclose one embodiment of the invention, it will be evident that changes may be made in such details and certain features may be used without others Without departing from the principles of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon;y a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a non-circular shaped clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; and a plurality of means about the perimeter of said clapper for producing separate impact tones when each means is in position to strike said bell.

2. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having Ia tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper vbar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to saidbell by means extending through said handle and tang; a polygonally shaped metallic clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; plastic means surrounding said metallic clapper; and

a plurality of means about said plastic means for producing separate impact tones when each of said means is in position to strike said bell.

3. In a handbell, the combination comprising ay bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a polygonally shaped metallic clapper attached to the free end lof said clapper bar; plastic means surrounding the perimeter of said clapper; sets of slots ext-ending through said plastic means along certain parallel sides of said polygonally shaped clapper; and felt means threaded through certain of said slots and xed to said clapper so that the felt strikes the bell when the clapper is swung.

4. Ina handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a polygonally shaped metallic clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; plastic means surrounding the perimeter of said clapper; sets of slots extending through said plastic means along certain parallel sides of said polygonally shaped clapper; and felt means threaded through certain of said slots and fixed to said clapper so that the felt strikes the bell when the clapper is swung, certain of said slots being open, and the plastic adjacent parallel sides of said polygonally shaped clapper having no slots therein.

5. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle att-ached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; and micrometrically adjustable means on said member adapted to cooperate with means on said clapper bar for restraining the movementof said clapper bar.

6. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; leaf spring means xed to said clapper b-ar; andmicrometrically adjustable means on said member adapted to cooperate with said leaf spring means f or restraining the movement `of said clapper bar.

7. In a handbell, the combination comprisingV a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; leaf spring means xed to said clapper bar; micrometer screws attached to said member on each side of said clapper bar, said leaf spring means including elongated apertures through which saidV screws extend; and stop nut means on the free ends of said screws adapted to cooper-ate with said, leaf spring means to restrain the movement of said clapper bar.

8. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being lattached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; leaf spring means xed to said clapper bar; micrometer screws att-ached to said member on` each side of said clapper bar, said leaf spring means including elongated apertures through which said screws extend; stop nut means` on the free ends of said screws adapted to cooperate with said leaf spring means to restrain the movement of said `clapper bar; vand bumper means between said nut means and said leaf spring means.

9. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said: bell; a yoke means located within said bell; a cap screw extending through said handle and tang, and threaded in to said yoke, means; a piny extending across the legs of said yoke means; a clapper bar mounted on said pin; -a crescentshaped leaf spring having biturcated ends attached to said clapper bar nea-r said pin; diverging micrometrically threaded rods, attached to said yoke means and passing through said bifurcated ends Iof said spring means; and adjustable stopv nuts threaded onto said rods` adapted to cooperate with lsaid spring means to restrain the movement of said clapper bar.

10. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having .a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a

clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; a plurality of means about the perimeter of said clapper for producing separate impact tones when each means is in position to strike said bell; and micrometrically adjustable means on said member adapted to cooper-ate with means on said clapper bar for restraining the movement of said clapper bar.

11. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member Ibeing attached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a metallic clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; plastic means surrounding said metallic clapper; a plurality of means about said plastic means for producing separate impact tones when each of said means is in position to strike said bell;-

leaf spring means fixed to said clapper bar; and micrometrically adjustable means on said member adapted to cooperate with said leaf spring means for restraining the movement of said clapper bar,

12. In a handbell, the combination comprising a bell having a tang thereon; a handle attached to said bell; a clapper bar pivoted to a member within said bell, said member being att-ached to said bell by means extending through said handle and tang; a polygonally shaped metallic clapper attached to the free end of said clapper bar; plastic means surrounding said metallic clapper; a plurality of means about said plastic means for producing separate impact tones when each of said means is in position to strike said bell; leaf spring means xed to said cl-apper bar; micrometer screws attached to said member on each side of said clapper bar, said leaf spring means including elongated apertures through which said screws extend; and stop nut means on the free ends of said screws adapted to cooperate with said leaf spring means to restrain the movement of said clapper bar.

l References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 112,631 3/1871 Regester 116-150 460,555 10/ 1891 Campbell 116-149 776,234 11/1904 Deagan 116-171 1,266,875 5/1918 Smith 116-148 t 1,342,543 6/1920 Kline 116-149 2,549,157 4/1951 Auth et al. 11'6-100 2,571,178 10/ 1951 Allen 340-398 42,793,607 5/1957 Brown et al. 116-136.5 3,139,855 '7/1964 Kunz 116-171 LOUIS J. CAPOZI, Primary Examiner.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent N0. 3, 253, 574 May 21, 1966 Jacob H. Malta It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered pat ent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read vas corrected below.

Column 3, line 74, after "adjacent" insert certain column 6, line 8, for "776,234" read 774, 234

Signed and sealed this 1st day of August 1967.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I. BRENNER Commissioner of Patents Edward M. Fletcher, I r.

Attesting Officer 

1. IN A HANDBELL, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING A BELL HAVING A TANG THEREON; A HANDLE ATTACHED TO SAID BELL A CLAPPER BAR PIVOTED TO A MEMBER WITHIN SAID BELL, SAID MEMBER BEING ATTACHED TO SAID BELL BY MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH SAID HANDLE AND TANG; A NON-CIRCULAR SHAPED CLAPPER ATTACHED TO THE FREE END OF SAID CLAPPER BAR; AND A 